Hezbollah

Hezbollah, which in Arabic means "Party of God," is best known as a terrorist organization operating in Lebanon, although Hezbollah itself and many Muslims would dispute the description "terrorist." Islamist and Shia in religious ideology, Hezbollah is also known as Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine, Organization of the Oppressed on Earth and Revolutionary Justice Organization. It was formed in 1982, after the 1982 Israeli operations in Lebanon. The name is also spelled (or transliterated) Hezballah, Hizballah, Hizbollah, Hizbullah, and several other ways.

It is an organization that both allegedly conducts terrorism in the Middle East and elsewhere, and also operates a shadow government in parts of Lebanon. It is certainly on friendly terms with the government of Iran, although it is not definitely under Iranian control; it also receives support from Syria.

Territorial control

Israel's 2006 Israeli operations in Lebanon was in response to rocket attacks on Israel; the military operation did not displace Hezbollah as a de facto government in certain areas. Daniel Byman, of the Brookings Institution, described it, in May 2008, as the most powerful political movement in Lebanon. Serious discussions of dealing with Lebanon have to consider this organization as part of the process; the United States Security Council passed Resolution 1701 to put a peace operations force into place after Israel withdrew.

Attacks

The organization has been charged with responsibility for incidents including

• 1996 Khobar Towers bombing.
• 1983 bombing of Beirut U.S. Embassy
• 1983 Beirut barracks bombings
• 1984 bombing of Beirut U.S. Embassy annex
• 1992 Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires